Bernard Gama Ayisa

Ghanaian native Bernard Gama Ayisa started his musical journey in Zimbabwe at the Prince Edward School. After high school, he was accepted to the University of Natal, South Africa, where he studied with American saxophonists Professor Dustan Cox, and Professor Darius Brubeck.
In 1998, Bernard was chosen to perform at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) in New York City and Germany, with a student and staff band under the direction of Professor Darius Brubeck. He also held membership with the South Africa Youth Jazz Band under the directorship of Professor Mike Campbell.
After graduating, Bernard moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he performed regularly with Feya Faku, Andile Yenana and guitarist Ernie Smith.

Bernard Gama Ayisa has graced stages and festivals worldwide. He has performed for the Dubai Jazz Festival (in Abu Dhabi), as well as festivals in Scotland, Romania, Germany, Malaysia, South Africa, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan with renowned Iraqi musician, Ilham al Madfai and Ouagadougou.
Recently Bernard Ayisa performed with Tens Nobel (Holland), Seth Trachy (US), Nicholas Genest (France), Marcus Wyatt (South Africa), Tony Depaolis (US), Barry Finnerty (US), Seán Nowell (US), Godwin Louis (US), Etienne Charles (US), Derrick Gardner and Steve Kirby (US) and Neil Gonsalve.

In 2013, Bernard decided to come home to Ghana with a big dream. His vision was to develop a unique Ghanaian Jazz voice and style. During this period here, he released his debut album entitled Gbee(voice).
Bernard currently lives in Accra Ghana where he often supports visiting Jazz artist, both as a soloist and with the Ghana Jazz Collective Band.
The Ghana Jazz Collective has been the resident band for the annual Stanbic Jazz Festival in Accra, Ghana.

In addition to live performances, composing, private lessons, workshop and adjudications, Bernard Ayisa is always in demand as a recording artist, both at home and abroad.
Bernard endorses P. Mauriat Saxophones, and is the first African jazz saxophonist to endorse the P. Mauriat brand.